Why I’d Never Heard of Black Twitter
You guessed it, I’m white. This week, as I explored the course materials on the concept of Black Twitter, I was astonished at my lack of awareness. Why had I never heard of this realm of the Twitterverse before? Why didn’t I know that without this space, we’d have never had hashtags and movements like #BlackLivesMatter and #BringBackOurGirls? The answer is quite simple: it was not intended for me. That’s not to say that I, or any other white folks, can’t also spread awareness or take part in a movement centered on uplifting and freeing Black people from the shackles of an oppressive, systemically racist society. However, it does mean, that my being an ally is not the same as my understanding the Black experience. I acknowledge and am aware that, as a white woman, I have privilege beyond my understanding. And my frustration with myself for never having heard of Black Twitter, for not being “woke” enough, comes from a very privileged place. Check yourself. Though my intent was good, understanding why I felt left out from the conversation was key to understanding why the existence of Black Twitter is absolutely NECESSARY.